Snow began to fall throughout the Northeast on Friday in what's predicted to be a massive, possibly historic blizzard. A look at each state in the storm's path:

VERMONTThe storm blanketed the state with snow, though not as heavily as other states, and hundreds of schools were closed. Northern Vermont was expected to get 4 to 8 inches of snow by Saturday morning while southern parts of the state could get 8 to 16 inches.

Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont post offices were closing early Friday, at 3 p.m. The storm also disrupted air travel, bus service and Amtrak trains.

CONNECTICUTGov. Dannel P. Malloy declared a state of emergency and deployed National Guard troops around the state Friday for rescues or other emergencies. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for the entire state; the worst was expected to hit Friday evening into Saturday morning.

Nonessential state workers were ordered to stay home Friday. Schools, colleges and state courthouses were also closed. All flights after 1:30 p.m. at Bradley Airport near Hartford were canceled; Malloy said highways could be closed anytime. Train and bus services were set to shut down later Friday.

Some gas stations ran out of fuel Thursday night during the rush to prepare for the storm. The state's two biggest utilities planned for the possibility that up to 30 percent of their customers [--] more than 400,000 homes and businesses would lose power.

MAINEMore than 6 inches of snow fell in Portland by midday Friday. The snow was blamed in a pileup involving 19 cars on an interstate in Cumberland, and several people had minor injuries, state police said.

Registration and practice runs for the National Toboggan Championships were held Friday as scheduled, but Saturday's races were postponed for a day.

Up to 2 feet of snow was forecast along the southern coast, with lesser amounts across the rest of the state.

MASSACHUSETTSForecasters said the storm could top Boston's record of 27.6 inches, set in 2003.

Gov. Deval Patrick told nonessential state workers to stay home Friday and ordered all non-emergency vehicles off the road by 4 p.m. The Steamship Authority suspended all ferry service between Nantucket and Hyannis, and between Martha's Vineyard and Woods Hole.

On Cape Cod, shelters opened at high schools in Sandwich, South Yarmouth, Eastham and Falmouth after a flood warning was issued; as much as 2 feet of snow is expected.

Most airlines planned to cease operations between noon and 4 p.m. Friday at Logan Airport in Boston. Flights were expected to restart Saturday afternoon.

NEW HAMPSHIREHeavy snow, blowing snow and strong winds were forecast. Hundreds of schools were closed Friday, airlines canceled flights and sporting and civic events were postponed. A blizzard warning was to begin at 6 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Saturday for portions of southeast New Hampshire.

State-run liquor stores were slated to close at 6 p.m. Friday to encourage people to get off the roads by 7 p.m., when the storm is supposed to intensify.

NEW JERSEYLight snow or freezing rain was falling in northern areas of the state early Friday afternoon, with light rain reported elsewhere.

A blizzard warning for northeast New Jersey called for as much as 14 inches of snow. Up to 10 inches were possible for most of the state, with 2 to 5 inches in south Jersey.

Parts of the coast were expected to see waves up to 12 feet and minor to moderate flooding during high tide. Brick Township and Toms River, which were hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, issued voluntary evacuation orders for areas still recovering from that storm.

The blizzard zone included the state's largest city, Newark, with a population of more than 275,000. Mayor Cory Booker urged residents to prepare for widespread power failures.

NEW YORKSnow fell heavily Friday afternoon in New York City, where more than a foot was expected. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's main concern was clearing the streets of cars and people so 1,700 city plows could get to work; drivers were expected to work 12-hour shifts. Amtrak canceled service north out of the city.

More than 1,700 flights were canceled at the three major airports serving New York City. Most domestic carriers were expected to suspend operations between 2 and 5 p.m. Friday and resume Saturday afternoon.

The state Emergency Operations Center in Albany was activated at noon Friday to monitor storm response. Outside the city, forecasts called for relatively manageable snowfall of 16 inches from the eastern end of Lake Erie to the Hudson Valley. Six inches was forecast in western New York.

PENNSYLVANIAIn the Pocono Mountains, where more than a foot of snow could fall, schools were closed or delayed, and flights were canceled at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Airport.

Farther south, dozens of flights were also canceled at Philadelphia Airport as a light rain fell. The city was forecast to get 2 to 5 inches of snow.

The bad weather also curtailed bus service from Pennsylvania into New York City.

The evening commute could be especially treacherous, with snow predicted to fall at a rate of 1 to 1.5 inches an hour in some areas.

RHODE ISLANDThe National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning through early Saturday afternoon and predicted up to 2 feet of snow and wind gusts of up to 60 mph.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee declared a state of emergency, and nonessential state workers were sent home Friday afternoon. Many schools were closed Friday. Transit service was suspended at noon Friday. The last plane left T.F. Green Airport near Providence just before 1:30 p.m. Friday; no other flights are scheduled to leave until Saturday.

About 100 state plows were already out on the roads, bolstered by 200 private contractors, officials said. Hospitals and health facilities were testing their generators to make sure they would work if power was lost.